Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance Chapter 17 Section 1

I Italy’s Advantages Explosion of creativity in Europe known as the Renaissance Renaissance= rebirth of art and learning 3 advantages that fostered Renaissance: Thriving cities Wealthy merchant class Classical heritage

A. Urban Centers Overseas trade spurred by Crusadeslarge city states in northern Italy Italy was urban while rest of Europe was rural Ppl exchange ideas in cities making it ideal place for intel. Rev. Bubonic plague causen econ. Downstuenmerchants pursued other interests like art

B. Merchants and the Medici City sttes ran their own affairs collecting taxes & making armies Merchants most wealthy & powerfulran politics Merchants did not inherit status but achieved it their their own effortindivid. Achievemtn wuld become important Renaisance theme Florence under control of Medici family Made wealth in trade and banking Medici’s did not hold pol office but controlled by giving politicians loans’ Medici’s aided the renaissance by supporting the arts

II Classical and Worldly Values A. Classics Lead to Humanism Study of classical textshumanism Focused on human potential and achievements Medieval scholars tried to make classical texts agree w/ Christian thought but Renaissance scholars studied them to UNDERSTANT ancient Greek values Renaissance scholors studied classical subjects called humanities

B. Enjoyment of Worldly Pleasures Humanists suggest ppl can enjoy life w/o offending god Renaissance Italy saw wealthy enjoying luxuries Basic Renaissance was secular Secular= worldly and concerned w/ the here and now

C. Patrons of the Arts Renaissance popes beautified Rome by spending large amounts of $$ on art Popes became patrons of the arts Wealthy fams like Medici’s supported artists by having their portraits painted or donated public art to the city

D. The Renaissance Man Educated renaissance ppl were expected to create art Ideal indvid. Strove to master all areas of study Man who excels in many fields is known as “renaissance man”

III Renaissance Revolutionizes Art Renaissance sculptors used realistic style copied from classical models Michelangelo= sculptor who glorified the human body

B. Leonardo, Renaissance Man Leonardo da Vinci was painter, sculptor, inventor, & scientist (Renaissance man) Investigated muscle movement and other nat. things which he incorporated in his art & inventions Painted the Mona Lisa & Last Supper

C. Raphael Advances Realism Learned from studying work of Michelangelo and Leonardo School of Athens painting conveys classical influences of the Renaissance

IV Renaissance Writers Change Literature A. Machiavelli Advises Rulers The Prince= examines imperfect conduct of human beings by examining how a ruler can gain power and keep it in spite of his enemies Believed idea that most ppl are selfish, fickle, and corrupt Therefore, Prince must be strong and tricky Sometimes trick his ppl for the good of the state Not concerned w. what was morally right but what was politically effective